Artist Scott LoBaido begins his painting at the National Lighthouse Museum annual Light Keeper's Gala on June 14, 2012 at the Richmond County Country Club. He'll be leading a rally at Mount Manresa Wednesday night.
(Staten Island Advance/Bill Lyons)

LoBaido's portrait of Mount Manresa's water tower was used on the invitation for the 2012 Circle of Friends Awards Supper.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The Committee to Save Mount Manresa and artist Scott LoBaido will hold a candlelight vigil on Wednesday night at Mount Manresa Jesuit Retreat House in Fort Wadsworth, in one of many efforts to garner support against the planned sale of the spiritual refuge to private developers.

"Whether you believe in God or not, come bring light upon this vital
issue to save one of the most awesome places in New York City," said LoBaido, who has gone to the grotto at all hours of the
day and night to reflect and pray for more than 12 years.

Participants are asked to bring candles with them when they meet at 8:45 p.m. at the entrance to Mount Manresa.

LoBaido's artwork was featured on several of the brochures for Mount
Manresa, he has donated work for auction for Mount Manresa and was
part of many of the events over the years at the retreat house, said Barbara Sanchez, secretary of the committee.

The New York Province of the Society of Jesus is attempting to sell
the 15.4-acre property for $15 million in cash to Savo Brothers
builders. Mount Manresa is currently protected by a
temporary restraining order -- issued by acting Supreme Court Justice
Charles Troia on Aug. 22 and extended until Oct. 1-- which prevents the sale of the property or the removal or destruction of the grotto, water tower, the chapel or trees at the site until a final ruling is made. Among the plaintiffs in the lawsuit are Ms. Sanchez, Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis and State Sen. Diane Savino.

The committee, which has the backing of Community Board 1, is fighting the proposed sale on many fronts, including asking the state attorney general's office to investigate the Jesuits' fundraising practices and appealing refusals by the City Landmarks Preservation Commission to give historical landmark status to Manresa.

The group also is protesting the
current zoning of Mount Manresa as R3-2, which allows for high-density housing. The Jesuits have vigorously defended their fundraising methods and have insisted that the sale ultimately will go through to the sole bidder, Savo Brothers.

The vigil will focus on the historic structures, wooded
acres with hundreds of old-growth trees and natural hillside created by glaciers over 20,000 years ago -- all part of what makes Mount Manresa "an
environmental and historical treasure," Ms. Sanchez said.

"Scott LoBaido reached out to us and offered to organize this event to
help bring attention to Mount Manresa and our efforts to save it and
have it landmarked," Ms. Sanchez said. "We are very honored for his support and all of the
others who have been reaching out to help us. It's inspiring."

Tammy Procci will host a living rosary on Saturday at 6 p.m. Participants are asked to bring candles, and join to "place a halo around Mount Manresa and pray out loud together," Ms. Sanchez said.

"Tammy generously offered to host this event and we hope to surround Mount Manresa on Saturday as well with candles and prayer," Ms. Sanchez said.

She added that this is the second event hosted by Ms. Procci, who earlier this month helped Larry Leidy and Leonard Torricelli do a support party at Leidy's Shore Inn for the save Mount Manresa effort.

"This is the kind of support that shows how important Mount Manresa is to many Staten Islanders and why we are fighting so hard to save it from being turned into high density housing," Ms. Sanchez said.---Follow @siadvance on Twitter, join us on Facebook